Stories of
American Heroes -
Brought to you from the "Home of Heroes" - Pueblo, Colorado

William "Billy" Dixon

TAPS

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night.

Adobe Walls Battlefield Site

Born:September 25,
1850 at Ohio County,
WV

Entered
Service in the US Army as a Civilian Scout from Indian Territory

Earned The Medal of Honor During the Indian Campaigns For
heroism September 12, 1874
at Washita River,
TX

Died:March 09, 1913
at the age of 62

On September
12, 1874, the third day of a siege in which a force of more than
100 Indians surrounded and attacked the Lyman Supply Train at
the Upper Washita River in Texas, General Nelson Miles sent a
detachment of three soldiers and two civilian scouts under
Sergeant Zachariah Woodall to deliver a dispatch to Camp Supply.
En route the six men were attacked along the Washita River by
125 Indians. William Dixon was one of the expeditions two
scouts. Throughout the day the four soldiers and two civilian
scouts, after taking shelter in a ravine, continued a valiant
resistance while defending their wounded. A band of twenty-five
Indians succeeded in scattering the detachment's horses and the
men fell back to a small knoll where throughout the day they
were attacked from all directions. Without water, the men
resisted and were down to 200 rounds of ammunition when night
fell. The following day the survivors were recovered by a relief
force. Along with William Dixon's award, Medals of Honor were
awarded to Sergeant Zechariah Woodall, Private Peter Roth,
Private John Harrington, Private George Smith (KIA), and fellow
Civilian Scout Amos Chapman.